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Cody Johnson shared a throwback video with Carrie Underwood on Friday (November 8). The clip shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the day the two powerhouse country artists recorded their highly-anticipated duet, âIâm Gonna Love You,â in the recording studio.
âIâm Gonna Love Youâ appears on Johnsonâs deluxe edition of Leather, which arrived on November 1. The expanded album adds 13 new tracks to the original project, totaling 25 songs all together. âIâm Gonna Love Youâ was the first new song to make its debut before the full deluxe edition released. Leather follows Human The Double Album (2021) and Ainât Nothinâ To It (2019).
âFrom the moment I heard this song, I heard Carrieâs voice on it. It was a non-negotiable for me; either we sing it together, or I wouldnât sing it at all. Itâs that special to me,â Johnson previously said in a statement. âWorking with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure. Sheâs not only one hell of a singer, but sheâs a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone whoâs seen so much success in their career and theyâre still so down to earth. I feel like this duet is going to be massive in so many ways, and I couldnât be prouder of it!â
Johnson and Underwood met backstage at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. The Texas-born âDirt Cheapâ artist recently told Southern Living Editor-in-Chief Sid Evans on an episode of Biscuits & Jam that working with Underwood âchallenges you.â
âI think people have preconceived notions about what a big star is like, and she's not that,â Johnson said on the podcast. âIt's like having a friend that you didn't know you had. It's also really fun to sing with someone that challenges you. To know what caliber of vocalist that she is, that helps me step my game up, you know. It's been a real pleasure, and she's gone above and beyond. Even when we did the music video, I mean, we worked in there for 12 hours that day, and she never, never took the smile off her face and never complained.â